This recent controversy coupled with the under-representation of minorities issue is bizarrely off-putting to me because I identify as a staunch feminist and lean very liberal on most social issues. I think one of the biggest problems I have with calling out a particular game or panel is that it's always going to seem unfair to do so. The same could be said regarding hiring. The problem isn't with a particular panel, a particular hire, or a particular AAA game - all of these problems are grand in scale, and there is some disconnect when people see one example being talked about in very hostile terms. With the GB panels, though, I don't know if they are a good or bad starting point for the conversation regarding exclusion. On one hand, the guys, with Patrick being the most vocal, have demonstrated concern for the social issues that the video game industry has been confronting more recently, so you have to expect that someone like Patrick would listen to any criticism in that vein. On the other hand, the fact that the site has shifted toward being more inclusive by highlighting writers and developers with unique backgrounds and viewpoints makes the singling out seem that much more unfair to me. It's a site that, relative to its size, seems to be doing a lot of good regarding the social issues that I care about in gaming.
So, there is a logical disconnect between the intended purpose and the target in many of these cases, and it's tough for me to get on board with calling out a particular game, panel, or hire. However, I still feel the causes are important enough to warrant the conversations, I guess. I think that as long as you don't react dismissively of the movements behind the criticisms (i.e. feminism), then the criticisms are a net positive even if you disagree with them.
All that said, the Simins stuff is really disappointing to read. She spoke in absolutes that are not in any way progressive, and I would like to think that's not the kind of communication needed to further any cause, particularly one I feel strongly on her side of. I don't find what she said cogent or positive. But, that type of rhetoric does seem to get everyone's attention, so maybe it's a necessary evil.
I know I put a lot of qualifying statements out here, which isn't great message board fodder. I just hope people can see these as complex issues, and you shouldn't feel alienated from the good causes at the heart of the complaints even if you aren't on board with your favorite video game site being singled out.
